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Artichoke

RRP:

$10.90

Product Description

Ingredient:

artichoke flowers

Usefulness:

Possible Effect on Blood Pressure

In a study published in the “Journal of Dietary Supplements” in 2009, patients with slightly raised blood pressure levels were fed a liquid artichoke leaf extract. The scientists conducting the study found that, after 12 weeks, those receiving the artichoke leaf supplement, either 50 or 100 milligrams of artichoke leaf juice, had lower blood pressure levels, regardless of the amount of concentrate they received. Scientists concluded that artichoke leaf may help lower blood pressure levels in those with mild hypertension. If you drink only the liquid from artichoke tea, however, you may not have the same degree of benefits as seen in the study. To ensure full benefits, consume the dredges -- the tea "leaves" -- as well.

Antioxidant Benefits for Cholesterol

In 2010, the journal “Phytotherapy Research” published a study on artichoke leaf extract’s effect on blood cholesterol levels. Artichoke leaf is rich in antioxidants, which dissolve into tea. Antioxidants can protect your body from damage from free radicals and environmental toxins. Over the course of one month, researchers found that the antioxidants in artichoke leaves led to less oxidative stress in the animal test subjects that received the supplement. Those receiving the supplement also had lower overall blood cholesterol levels. Because the study uses an extract, the level of antioxidants present in tea may not be the same as in the study, so the overall effects may be different.

Antioxidants Against Cancer

Artichoke leaf is chock-full of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that dissolves into water. Toxins and free radicals can potentially contribute to heart disease and cancer, and antioxidants may also help to delay the effects of these illnesses. A 2012 publication of the “Journal of Cellular Physiology” found that artichoke leaf extract, when introduced to breast cancer cells, reduced the viability and growth of cancer cells. Adding artichoke leaf extract directly to the cells also triggered cancer cell death, potentially indicating that the polyphenols in artichokes have powerful anti-cancer properties.